I'm hosting a winter craft workshop at a community centre – the final of five held around Wigan Borough. The events have been a hit, with more than 200 people turning up to find out how to make Christmas wreaths and table decorations. As well as questions about how to best use holly and ivy, I've also been subjected to a series of borderline-inappropriate remarks from older women.

"Most gardening experts we get are as old as me," says one silver-haired lady. "You make a nice change." It might not be in my job description, but fielding the flirtatious comments of women old enough to be my grandmother is certainly a more unusual consequence of my role as Wigan In Bloom coordinator. Thankfully, the workshop proceeded without too many innuendoes – although another lady asked if she could take me home.

Now Christmas is a distant memory, it's on with more serious tasks. Our gardens and displays have been cut back and mulched, so thoughts turn to the summer and how we can make sure Wigan Borough looks even better than it did last year. This involves a huge amount of planning.

We've got quite a job on our hands trying to top 2012. The Olympics and the Queen's diamond jubilee inspired much floral colour. In 2013, we're planning a French theme to reflect our relationship with Angers, which has been our twin town since 1987. We're also welcoming the Rugby League World Cup to the borough later in the year, so some of our displays will be showcasing the area's huge sporting heritage.

For the 30 community groups who take part in Wigan Borough in Bloom each year, January is when they begin the vital preparation for the spring and summer. The In Bloom judges won't be here until June, but six months before their arrival huge effort goes into planning what our parks, allotments and green spaces will look like. Designs have to be produced, ideas discussed and bulbs bought. I'm constantly amazed by the dedication and commitment of people who voluntarily give up their own time to make where they live look better.

In Bloom isn't just about planting a few flowers and hoping they look nice. Entries are judged on community involvement and environmental sustainability as well as horticultural achievement. The difference between those entries awarded gold, silver or bronze can be minimal, and now is the time groups are figuring out exactly what they can do to impress the judges even more. It's my job to help them.

• This is the second in a series of posts revealing what happens behind the scenes of Britain in Bloom, written by Damian Jenkinson, Wigan council's In Bloom coordinator and BBC Young Gardener of the Year runner-up. For more information on Britain in Bloom, visit the RHS website.